Anfield crisis deepens as it emerges Hicks met Klinsmann twice to discuss the German replacing Benitez

Monday 14 April 2008 12:25 BST

The plot to replace Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez with Jurgen Klinsmann was more serious than first thought, it has emerged.

Sportsmail understands that that Anfield co-owner Tom Hicks held two meetings - not one as previously reported - with former Spurs and Germany striker Klinsmann with a view to the German replacing Benitez as boss.

The first meeting was held in New York at which he was joined by co-owner George Gillett, chief executive Rick Parry and other members of the Liverpool board.

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German import: Jurgen Klinsmann met Liverpool co-owner Hicks twice

The second was held at Hicks' holiday home in California during Thanksgiving weekend when Parry was not present, reports the Liverpool Echo newspaper.

Livid: Anfield boss Rafa Benitez

Parry has today said he was prepared to meet Benitez to discuss his involvement in talks with Klinsmann, who has since agreed to take charge of Bayern Munich next season.

The 53-year-old responded to Benitez's demands yesterday afternoon for talks to clear the air about what went on at the meeting with Klinsmann last November with an offer to sit down with him at the earliest possible opportunity.

Although he has known about the meeting with Klinsmann for several months, Benitez insisted he was surprised by revelations that Parry was also present.

The Spaniard was already aware that Hicks and co-owner George Gillett had met the German in November to discuss the possibility of him replacing Benitez as manager at Anfield. But Benitez, who is reportedly fuming, has admitted to friends that he was shocked to see revelations from Hicks in the media that Parry was present at that meeting and is now demanding answers.

Parry today responded to the latest crisis by saying: "I am more than happy to sit down and talk to Rafa about this."